Mcknight



(No Model.)

J. W. MOKNIGHT.

SILO.

No. 267,914. Paten ted m 21. 1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. MGKNIG-HT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

,SILO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,914, dated November 21, 1882.

7 Application filed October 21, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J No. W. MCKNIGHT, of Washington,in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ensilage and Silos; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the preservation of fodder in a green state for winter use for stock; and the invention consists in the method and apparatus for the purpose, as more fully hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurelrepresents a vertical sectional view of my improved silo or apparatus for storing and preserving fodder. Fig. 2 represents a sectional View of one of the chambers of the silo, showing the top secured thereto. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a modification of my improved silo, and Fig. 4 represents a detached view of the clamping device. 7

The letter A indicates one of the chambers of the silo, any number of which may be employed, as may prove convenient. The walls are preferably constructed of the artificial com pound for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me the 15th day of August, 1882, No.262,603, although they may be constructed of ordinary masonry or any artificial stones The chambers are preferably rectangular in horizontal section, and may be of any desired size, according to the purpose for which they are to be employed. These chambers may be located in a stable, and the food, as required, delivered directly to the stock or they may be arranged in a suitable. building. or structure in which the food, as requiredl'or use, may be put up in bales or packages for the purpose of transportation. The upper edges of the chambers are provided with angular recesses D, having suitable packings, E, and are also provided with covers F, provided with corresponding flanges adapted to set into the recesses to make an air-tight joint when the covers are in place. The chambers are further provided with anchors G,which are provided with cams I, by means of which the covers may be tightly clamped to their seats.

I In order to pack the material into the silos or chambers, I provide a removable frame, L, which has studs or projections M, adapted to set into the recesses at the top of the chambers, and to be confined to said top by means of the clamping devices before mentioned, or by any other suitable fastening devices. The said frame carries a vertically-movable rackbar, N, which has intergearing with it a pinion on the shaftP,journaled in the frame and carrying a gear-wheel, R, with which meshes a pinion, S, on the shaft T, the latter being provided with a crank, U, or other suitable means by which power may be applied to operate the rack-bar to move the followerV and compress the fodder. From the lower part of each silo or chamber extends a pipe, W,which is provided with cocks X Y in order to draw off the surplus brine from the said silos or chambers without admitting air thereto, one of the said cocksbeing opened while the other is closed, for the purpose mentioned.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the walls of the silo,at suitable points,are formed with apertures or recesses A, in which the ends of the wooden beams 13 are adapted to be set, the opposite ends of which set under the block, which is swiveled to the lower end of the rack-bar. In this case the beams act as levers when pressure is brought to bear upon them bythe said block and forciblycompress the fodder.

In applying my invention the fodder, in a green state, is supplied to the silos or chamhers by means of any suitable elevating deby operating the compressing-gearing, the fodder being sprinkled or dampened,as required, with an extract formed by steeping hay or other fodder in a saline solution, boiling the same until the soluble vegetable matters are extracted, and then straining the liquid portions off.

As constructed,it will be perceived that the fodder maybe packed and secured in anynumber of silos by a single packing device, which may be removed from one to another, as required, and that when packed the superfluous preservative liquid may be run off without the admission of air from below, and the silos or the covers, as before mentioned.

vices, and is compressed in successive layers chambers tightly sealed by the application of g Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- Y 1. The combination, in a silo, of the removable frame, the cogged gearing, and the rackbar adapted to operate afollower to compress the fodder, substantially as specified.

2. Thecombination, in a silo, of the removable frame and packing-gearing and the covers and their clamping-cams, the silos being provided with angular grooves and packings, and the frame with a projection adapted to set in said grooves, substantially as specified.

3. In a silo, the discharge-tube at the lower portion thereof, provided with two cocks or valves, whereby the liquid may escape from in presence of two witnesses, thislSth day of v25 October, 1882.

' J. W. MGKNIGHT.

Witnesses:

J. J. MCCARTHY, \VILLIAM ALEXANDER. 

